Can Low Testosterone Cause Weight Gain?

Low testosterone in men has been in the news lately. It has been blamed for just about every health problem in men including depression, low sex drive, lack of energy, and decreased muscle mass. But does low testosterone cause weight gain? Some studies say yes it does.

Males over the age of 30 lose about one and a half percent of testosterone levels per year. This phenomena is known as andropause. It is basically like going through puberty in reverse. When you were a young man your testosterone levels went up. Your mornings were marked with daily erections, increased body hair, and lean muscle mass. Andropause causes a loss of muscle mass, depression, loss of energy, and an increase in estrogen. While this does not cause weight gain per se, it does often lead men to stop performing the activities that they once did that helped them keep the weight off. As men lose testosterone they lose the energy and motivation to keep exercising and staying active.

There are certain supplements and even prescription drugs that you can take to try and increase testosterone. As long as men are aware of the process of andropause, they can try and combat its effects by staying active, eating a diet high in protein, and strength training. These activities can virtually bring the process of andropause to a screeching halt.